Fred Dustin, Cha Sang-kyu and Tripper. Cha is holding an air rifle that was given to him by one of the camp's NCOs.

By Robert Neff

Cha Sang-kyu modeling a shirt he just received as a birthday present.

Military camps weren't filled with just soldiers. There were many people who supported them (unofficially), such as the houseboys ― teenagers who cleaned the tents, shined the boots and did whatever other chores needed to be done. For their service, they were paid between $10 and $15 a month.One of the houseboys' duties was laundry. The young entrepreneurs didn't wash it themselves but instead took the dirty clothing to the perimeter fence where they arranged with the local washing women to do it for them. The soldiers were quite pleased with the quality ― the clothes were sweet-smelling (having been dried in the sun) and nothing was ever missing.There were several houseboys (each tent was allowed one) but Cha Sang-kyu ― a boy of about 15 with a quick but mischievous smile and, curiously, webbed fingers ― was clearly the camp's favorite. He was always receiving clothing and gifts from the soldiers. In return, he guided some of the soldiers to Seoul during their R&R (rest and relaxation) leave and even took them to his home.When the boys weren't working, they were playing. Basketball was especially popular. They also received perks ― such as a haircut by the "company barber." Although the barber used scissors to cut hair, he was not allowed to have a straight razor (for safety reasons) and had to use a dull safety razor.

There was always a logistics problem whenever the band moved to a forward area. Civilians were not allowed into the area, so the houseboys were hidden under the benches of the trucks. The military police undoubtedly knew the boys were there but chose to ignore them as they were a part ― although unofficially ― of the camp.The camp also had many stray dogs. Headquarters directed that the dogs be gotten rid of, but that order was conveniently ignored and the dogs became unofficial "tent dogs." They were well treated by the soldiers who would bring them food from the "chow line" and even arranged to have them wormed and treated by the vets. The band's dog, a little black and white pup, was known as Tripper and was very popular with the houseboys.When the war ended, Cha returned to his home in Seoul, taking Tripper with him. When Fred Dustin returned to Korea in 1955 as an English teacher, he had the opportunity to meet Cha again. He even offered to pay for his former houseboy's tuition ― if the young man wanted to go to school ― but Cha declined as he felt he was not yet ready. The opportunity was never taken because, a few years later, Cha died. The circumstances of his death are unclear ― another young life taken too soon.I would like to thank Fred Dustin for the use of his pictures and also to wish him a happy 88th birthday (January 12).